When the initial HomePod launched in 2018, it was noticed that the speaker would leave white rings on some wooden desktops and would appear after only a minute or two of sitting there. Now well-known YouTuber MKBHD has confirmed that the problem still exists on the new version of the HomePod, though to a lesser extent.
In one of his tests, the white second-generation HomePod also left a white ring on the wooden surface where he placed the speaker, though this white ring was less visible than the one left by the first-generation HomePod and took longer to appear.
In a support document released in 2018, Apple acknowledged that speakers with shock-absorbing silicone bases may leave slight marks on some wooden surfaces as a result of the spread of grease between the silicone base and the table surface.
"It is not uncommon for any speaker with a shock-absorbing silicone base to leave slight marks when placed on certain wooden surfaces. These marks may be caused by the spread of oil between the silicone base and the table top, and will usually disappear after a few days when the speaker is removed from the wooden surface. If not, gently wiping the surface with a soft, damp or dry cloth may eliminate these marks. If the marks persist, clean the surface with the furniture manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure. If this is a concern for you, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface."
Apple has not yet updated its support files to mention the second-generation HomePod. this issue does not affect the HomePod mini.
